[Hidden-tech] Music downloads

[DAVID F. FARKAS]

         Fred, thanx for this...

At 12:34 PM 12/30/2006, you wrote:
>I've also wrestled with the morality of letting my kids download for free. I
>second the library as a source of CDs that can be "legally" copied (and how
>is that so different from downloading?

>For an alternate take on itunes,
>see this website: http://www.downhillbattle.org/itunes/index.html
As the person who posted the original questions I've been fascinated 
by the rising crescendo of responses. All interesting perspectives 
and interesting emotions. And... many good suggestions.
I notice nobody asked clarifying questions before moralizing or 
giving parenting tips. <chkl> I'll take responsibility for the fact 
that my question obviously was unclear. I learned a lot and it has 
just raised more questions... perhaps for you too?
Perhaps a better worded question would have been, if downloading or 
file sharing sites are 'illegal' how / why do those sites still 
exist? And if they are in some way 'legal' how best to use them?
There were prior legal battles and sanctions and they are still here. 
Why? What's up with that? I'd  like to know.
My kid found them and asked about them and I didn't have the 
answer... figured some of you might know. I thought these sites would 
have died if they were illicit. I have not made a decision about 
downloading anything yet, but there is no clear answer from the 
discussion either.
Copying CD's from the library or a friends collection, just skirts 
the 'moral' issue. Someone paid for it once and many users are 
getting the benefit without the artist getting more royalties. Legal 
in the sense that nobody would ever be tracked or prosecuted, but 
still doesn't 'pay' artists. It's just not an online route. It's 
easy, free and invisible.
Perhaps what I've gleaned from this discussion is a concensus that , 
for the most part, the whole music distribution system... at least 
all options for getting a single track, (except directly from the 
artist)... 'stiff' the artist.
After reading the link Fred provided above it appears the iTunes IS 
AS MUCH OF A RIPOFF for artists as most other solutions. I'm not 
surprised. So, iTunes is legal and feels like there is a token 
payment to the artist, but it still stiffs them.

Most things in life are more complex than they seem and the answers, 
if there are any, are nuanced. In this case there is a 'legal' issue 
about what is going on online and also the 'moral' issue of whether 
artists actually get adequately compensated by their distribution 
system. Then perhaps there is a more symbolic moral stance about NOT 
doing certain things in certain ways.
While consumers can, perhaps, influence the 'fairness' of the music 
royalty system, it is a business arrangement between the artists and 
their business associates, yes? They create all that together in 
whatever way they do that just as we do with out clients and distributors.
So the answer that has come up most often in the group is to use 
iTunes because it is 'legal', has the appearance of propriety, makes 
token payment to artists and sends 'the right message' to the children. Thanx.
Keep them cards and letters coming... especially if you can answer 
the question about why download sites even exist if that is all 
illegal? Which was the question I would have asked had I been 
clearer. Thanx for bringing me to greater clarity.
(Let's not get into the software version of this discussion... I 
still use Win2K because it's not locked to one box. <chkl> Some would 
see that as 'wrong' and others as 'heroic.' <g>)

Merry Everything and Happy Always
David


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                                         --- Winston Churchill
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